PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The latest projections from the National Weather Service show the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River nearing a crest in Pikeville nearing a crest, but communities further downstream still waiting for water to stop rising.
Meanwhile, the Tug Fork at Williamson has exceeded major flood levels, as well as projections for where the river had been expected to crest.
MAJOR FLOOD
At 5 a.m., data from the NWS’s Water Prediction Service showed the Tug Fork standing at 43.16 feet, nearly six inches above major flood stage.
The river had been expected to crest at 43 feet at 1 p.m., Sunday, so it has already gone past that mark. The WPS defines major flooding as, “Extensive inundation of structures and roads. Significant evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations.”
Estimates for a new crest will likely come a little later. You can follow the latest measurements and predictions at https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/wilw2.
MODERATE FLOOD
Pikeville and Paintsville are now expected to crest at moderate flood stage. The WPS defines moderate flooding as “Some inundation of structures and roads near stream.”
Pikeville reached moderate flood stage at 10:30 p.m., Saturday, and the water continued to rise overnight. At 5 a.m, the river was at 46.33 feet, but in a hopeful sign, that was down slightly from 46.67 feet at 3 a.m. The river had been expected to crest at 47.5 feet at 7 a.m., so it remains to be seen if the water will continue to fall or start rising again. You can follow the latest current observations and estimates at https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/pkyk2.
The latest measurement for Paintsville was taken at 4:45 a.m., which showed the river at 29.45 feet, which was still more than five feet below flood stage. The river is projected to reach flood stage around 8 a,.m. and continue rising through the day, reaching moderate flood stage around noon and continuing to climb. The water is expected to be near peak at 7 p.m. and finally crest at 1 a.m., Monday, at 40.5 feet, 1.5 feet below major flood stage. You can follow the latest numbers and estimates for Paintsville at https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/ptvk2.
MINOR FLOOD
Prestonsburg and Kermit are still expected to remain in minor flood stage. The WPS defines minor flooding as, “Minimal or no property damage, but possibly some public threat.”
Downstream from Williamson, Kermit is so far expected to remain out of major flood stage. The Tug Fork is now at the minor flood stage, with a measurement of 39.22 feet at 5 a.m. The river is not expected to crest there until 1 a.m., Monday, when it is expected to come within inches of moderate flood stage. You can follow the latest numbers and estimates for Kermit at https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/krmw2.
Prestonsburg is still not at flood stage, with the Levisa Fork at 33.33 feet at 4:45 a.m. Minor flood stage is 40 feet and moderate flood stage is 43 feet. The river is expected to reach minor flood stage Sunday afternoon and crest 41 feet at 7 p.m. You can follow the latest numbers and estimates for Prestonsburg at https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/pstk2.
ELSEWHERE
One community which has fortunately seen projections fall short has been Elkhorn City, which had been expected to crest right at minor flood stage of 21 feet. However, the Russell Fork crested short of that mark, reaching 19.86 feet at 7:15 p.m. and falling throughout the night. The river stood at 13.67 feet at 4:30 a.m. and was projected to continue falling. You can follow the latest numbers and estimates for Elkhorn City at https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/elkk2.
NOTE
It is important to note that the estimates are for river flooding only, not for flash flooding, which has been severe in many areas of Eastern Kentucky, covering roads, damaging many structures and sending first responders out to rescue countless people trapped by rising water.
